Ti Amo (Battaglia Mafia Series) Read online

  Eve continued to nibble on her cracker. She kept brushing her fingers over his dark slacks leaving trails of crumbs. When he talked to Mira or the driver, she’d pat his thigh to remind him she was the center of his world. Mira didn’t think she’d ever seen Giovanni smile as much as he had in the back of the car. When the drive ended at the gates of Melanzana Mira felt her heart sink. She glanced over to Giovanni. He winked supportively at her.

  “Are you ready for this?” he asked.

  Mira unfastened the oversized seatbelt from around her daughter and pulled her on her lap. Giovanni waited for her to respond. Her heart hammered so hard and fast she couldn’t summon enough breath in her lungs to speak. Was she ready? Two days and they pretended the world didn’t exist. All of their energy was focused on Eve. And the nights were equally as sweet with them staying up to dawn talking, and talking. He hadn’t touched her other than to kiss her or hold her. She loved the natural pace of things. Now they were marching into his world and she had to be ready. It would take all of her faith and love for him to overcome the nagging doubts in the back of her mind. And she was determined to do it. Her gaze slipped over to him and the smile she gave was genuine. Was she ready? Damn straight she was. She made her choice. It was this place and this life. And she’d show him how strong she truly was.

  “Bella?”

  Eve grunted and extended her arms to him. Giovanni swept her up against his chest. He leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers. “It’s totally up to you cara. Say the word and I will take you anywhere else you'd rather be.”

  A faint smile touched the corners of her mouth. “This is where I want to be.”

  He stepped out of the car, and she followed. Mira looked up at the estate and remembered the first time she saw his home. Under the Italian moon, she found the place both majestic and intimidating. Giovanni set their daughter down. He took her hand and Eve began to walk before he did. He chuckled and reached for Mira. She accepted his other hand, and together they headed for the steps.

  The men had gathered. Everyone observed her and her child. News had spread all the way to the shores of Sicily in the Battaglia inner circles. Many wanted to see if the boss had indeed sired a daughter. Eve didn’t seem to notice her celebrity. She popped her pacifier in her mouth and hopped on the step trying to jump to the next. Giovanni gave her a lift with a gentle pull of her arm.

  “Mira!” Catalina shrieked the moment they crossed the threshold. Eve stopped, shocked. She turned and ran for her mother’s legs. Giovanni scooped her up in his arms, and Eve spat out her pacifier, crying for her mother. Catalina looked radiant and beautiful as ever, but she froze at the sight of Eve. She put both hands to her mouth, and her eyes went weepy with love and tears. She praised Eve in Italian going directly to her. Eve turned her face away refusing to look at her, even when Giovanni tried to turn her around to see her aunt. Catalina laughed and lunged for Mira next. She knocked her several feet back.

  “It’s true! It’s really true!”

  Mira hugged her tightly. She fought back the urge to cry. “It’s true.”

  Catalina grabbed Mira’s face staring into her eyes. “I can’t believe it,” she said. Tears were streaked over her cheeks. Franco walked up the hall in dark slacks and a blue shirt unbuttoned at the neck. He was a handsome man with deep olive skin and blue-black hair and dark brows. Mira let Catalina go. “You are gorgeous as ever. Married life is treating you well.”

  Catalina blushed. She glanced back at Franco, then to Mira. “Franco you remember Mira don’t you.”

  “Salve,” he said in a soft voice greeting her with a kiss to both sides of her cheeks.

  “Ciao.”

  “Look Franco, a precious Angelino. I’m in love. Ciao bella Eve. It’s Zia Catalina.”

  Eve refused to acknowledge her.

  “She’s not in the mood. Don’t bother her Catalina.” Giovanni said, stroking Eve’s back.

  Mira shook her head. “What your brother means is he’s spoiled her already. Don’t worry she will warm up to you soon.”

  “Ooooo, I can’t wait!” Catalina touched Eve’s foot. Eve peeked at her, then turned her head around abruptly. Everyone laughed. “Wait until Zia sees her, Gio. Oh a baby in the family. I can’t believe it."

  “Here they are!”

  Mira’s gaze sought out the man who spoke. Dominic and Lorenzo approached from the far end of the hall.

  “Welcome home.” Dominic said.

  “Grazie.” Mira answered. “This is where we belong.” She glanced to Giovanni who winked at her. He thrived on her support. Gone was the grumpy meanness. And Eve being in his arms softened him as well. With so many around her she kept her face lowered to his shoulder and her arm around his neck.

  The men both walked over to Mira and kissed her cheeks as the others brought in the luggage. Lorenzo gave her a polite hug. “Yes, this is where we all belong,” he said confidently.

  Catalina turned to everyone. “Lunch is ready. Let’s go to the terrace. I want it served out there. It’s a celebration!”

  Chapter Six

  Kei sat at his desk in his office staring at the phone. He flew back on his private jet after returning to the cottage and finding she’d packed hers and his daughter’s things then left with that bastard. He waited two painful nights for her to call him, and she never did. His stomach was in knots with worry. Kei reached for his water and swallowed down the clear liquid in his glass. His phone rang, and he reached for it immediately. “Yes! Yes?”

  “Sir, a man is here. He doesn’t have an appointment. He says you are expecting him. I’m sorry sir. He won’t give a name.”

  Relief washed over him and finally his racing heart stabilized. Kei cleared his throat. “Send him in.”

  The door opened and Cheung Bojing walked inside. “Long time no see cousin.”

  Kei rose. He hadn’t spoken to Bojing in years. He tried to keep himself separated from the days when they were truly family. As members of the Triad, a multifaceted Chinese crime syndicate, one could never wash their hands clean of the affiliation. The men embraced.

  “If you called me, there must be trouble.” Cheung said. “Of course, I would come.”

  “Is there any other kind?” Kei asked.

  Cheung gave a wicked smile. “I certainly hope not.”

  ****

  During the early dinner Eve loosened up. She refused to sit at the table in a chair stacked with books. And because they had no highchair to confine her she made a point to walk around, under, and sometimes passed over the table where everyone dined. Mira observed her with Catalina, Dominic, Lorenzo and then of course Giovanni, who managed to coax her pacifier out of her mouth to feed her from his plate. No one mentioned the whys and hows of Mira’s disappearance from their lives. The joy of her return felt genuine. And the smoldering look of desire and love in Giovanni’s blue eyes each time she caught him staring, gave her confidence to trust in the feeling.

  “Gio, we have business tonight with the boys. I’ve arranged it.” Dominic said. Mira pretended at not listening.

  Giovanni waved the comment off with the flick of his wrist. “Ripianificare.”

  Dominic blinked surprised. “Reschedule? I wouldn’t recommend it.”

  Giovanni’s gaze lifted and narrowed on Dominic. The young consigliere cleared his throat to explain himself. “It’s about that situation we need to attend to.”

  The tension between the men could not be missed, least of all by Lorenzo. He stared in the direction of Dominic, and Giovanni intensely focused on the hushed conversation.

  “We can arrange it for first thing in the morning, I have plans tonight.” His gaze shot up, and he caught her staring. Mira looked away. Dominic stared at her, too. If Mira could, blush she would. She knew what Giovanni wanted. Part of her craved the closeness they once shared in their short time together. But her stomach clenched with nervous energy at the thought of making love to him. Once they crossed that line, she would be hopelessly his again.
She needed to keep her head about her and stay alert. Until the matter of Angelo Calderone was brought to a close, she was in danger.

  After lunch Eve allowed herself to be carried away by Catalina. Of course, Mira had shared with Catalina her daughter’s love for cookies. The setup allowed her to escape to the room she and Giovanni once shared. It was just as she remembered it, especially the bed.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  “For?” She turned to see him enter the room. Tall and uncompromisingly handsome, his gaze went from her to the bed. She however couldn’t take her eyes off him. Besides the beard, he was as she remembered night after night in her dreams. The rich outlines of his shoulders strained against his black linen, collared shirt. In fact his slacks, shoes, belt, all were black, leaving the only trace of color to the silver gleam of his belt buckle. Giovanni stood taller than the average man. She missed how he would throw her over his shoulders and carry her to bed when they played sexy games for each other.

  “My surprise for you.”

  Mira crossed her arms. “More surprises?” She walked toward him. Since her arrival she’d had no chance to pretty herself for him. But she could see the desire in his eyes when he watched her. She looped her arms around his neck. “I love surprises. So does Eve.”

  His large palms ran down her backside and cupped her ass. “This is a big girl surprise. She and Catalina need to bond. Don’t you think?”

  Mira’s smile froze. “I’ve never been without her next to me, Giovanni. Never.”

  “We aren’t going far or for long. She’s safe here.”

  She shook her head, lowering her arms. She tried to push out of his embrace, but he brought her firm up against his chest, cupping her ass. She braced against his arms. “Sorry sweetheart but I’m not leaving my baby.”

  “Bella?”

  “No!”

  “If I thought there was any danger here I wouldn’t have brought you here. I swear to you on my life she’s safe with us. Trust me. Please.”

  “It’s hard. She’s too little to defend herself, to even tell me if something’s wrong. I wouldn’t be comfortable. Let’s take her with us. I can put her to sleep early. She’s a good baby.”

  “Bella? I love her too. It’s not about leaving her behind. If you want her to come then I understand. I just want to do something for us, for you.” He kissed her brow.

  Mira sighed. She was being silly. The place was a fortress. Still she couldn’t settle her racing heart after the mere thought of separating from her child. Giovanni went to the phone in his room. He made a call speaking to someone in Italian, downstairs. Mira paced thinking it over. Her mind said yes, but her heart screamed no. He hung up the phone and watched her. She knew he waited for her to be convinced, but she was not.

  “I just can't. I’m sorry. No. I won’t leave her. No.” Mira said, wringing her hands. She peeked up at him to see if he looked disappointed, and then came a knock to the door. Giovanni rose and walked over to open it. Mira recognized the man entering. Two years ago at her party in Milan a giant Sicilian who could pass for a sumo wrestler escorted her to Giovanni. He looked frighteningly strong and committed to his role in the family. By the looks of the gun under his arm in the gun strap she figured he was an enforcer.

  “Bella this is Nico. He will be the man to guard Eve with his life. No room she visits, sleeps or plays in will be accessed without his approval.”

  Mira’s gaze volleyed between the men in stunned silence. Nico bowed his head in respect as if the job of babysitting was the greatest one bestowed on him. Mira smiled. “Thank you Nico. Grazie. I feel better knowing you will be here.”

  Giovanni opened the door and Nico left. “Now? May I have your answer?”

  “For the night, then we come back, right?” Mira said.

  He approached her and took her face into his hands. Giovanni kissed her brow. “A night alone, just me and you, I can’t wait.” He brought his face to her neck and pressed a soft kiss there. “I have something nice planned for you,” he whispered in her ear.

  Her love for him melted her resolve. “Yes, Giovanni,” she sighed. “Okay. One night. I’ll do it.”

  “Grazie, Bella. Grazie.”

  “I have a request.” She managed to escape his embrace, but not before he felt up her curves and squeezed her butt once more. “Let me get dressed. I want to clean up. Okay?”

  He frowned. “How long will that take?”

  “An hour, and I’m all yours.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  Later

  The door closed. Giovanni turned the lock and his gaze sought her out. Mira faced the panoramic view of Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. The dying rays of the sun bled in through the windows and softened her curves. Her hair glistened with dark luster. She’d blown it straight. The dark tresses reached just beyond her shoulders. He approached, and his hands slowly stroked her slender arms.

  Giovanni brushed her concealed breasts with his fingers when he reached to unbutton her coat. The weather in Sorrento wasn’t as brisk as it was in central and northern Italy. She wore a thin leather trench to tease him.

  “All evening I’ve wondered about what lies underneath,” he whispered against her ear.

  Mira gave a sweet chuckle but said nothing as Giovanni caressed her neck with one hand and let the other ease inside her now open coat to caress her breast and flat tummy. The moment she joined him he’d been taken by her beauty. Everything about Mira excited him. From the gloss on her lips to the dark and smoky eye makeup to the long bangs that covered her brow with her hair framing her face like some Egyptian goddess, he was seduced.

  They were finally alone. No interruptions, no distractions, nothing to keep them apart.

  “Is this place yours?” she asked, rather breathless when he pinched her left nipple.

  “Yes, this is our place.”

  “Our place?” Her head turned and she glanced back at him as he drew the sleeves of her coat down her arms. The unveiling of her dress didn’t disappoint.

  “What’s mine is yours, always Bella.”

  She’d chosen a black mini dress. It flattered and defined her curvaceous shape. She stepped away in her spiked heels. Her hips swayed and her bosom bounced gently. He watched as she strolled through the front of the villa perched on the cliffs, admiring the furniture. She then faced him with a smile. The front of the dress crossed over her breasts and wrapped snugly around her waist with a tight belt that tied at the hip. He loved dresses made this way. Two years ago she would wear designs for him similar in style. He’d never seen fabric make a woman appear so sensual and feminine. He had to shake his head to clear the lust dissolving rational thoughts from his brain. Tonight wasn’t just about claiming her physically. She put up a good façade, but he knew she held back from him. And he didn’t blame her for her caution. After all he’d stormed back into her life and dragged her back into his world. He intended to make sure she didn’t regret her decision to trust him once more.

  Mira didn’t comment on the rose petals that were scattered over the marble floors. She didn’t blink at the candles in different arrangements on tall pedestals placed about. Each provided the soft lighting as the sun sank into the sea and darkness covered most of the villa in shadows. Did she notice the fireplace burning behind a smoky grey protective glass? Instead of commenting on any of it she stood at the windows captivated by what was left of the sunset, and he waited behind the white L-shaped leather sofa anxious for their night to begin.

  He cleared his throat. “Does this meet your approval?”

  “I don’t like the beard, Giovanni,” she said, turning. The comment threw him. Her smile was radiant, and those bottomless brown eyes of hers twinkled when her face was bathed in candlelight. “Don’t take it as an insult. It’s more of an observation. I remember another guy. My guy. The one who lifted me out of a pond of lilies and found a bracelet that meant so much to me. The one who taught me the bitter and the sweetness of Chi
anti. I remember the man who opened his heart to me. That guy didn’t have a beard. I miss him.”

  “Can I keep a mustache?” he asked, with a nervous chuckle. Did he appear less handsome to her with the beard? He hadn’t considered how strikingly different facial hair made him. He usually grew the beard when he withdrew from people. His father and mother’s deaths had both left him covering his pain behind the hairy mask. And of course her supposed death had nearly left him terminally scarred.

  “I’m willing to negotiate,” she smiled. “Mustache and chin can stay, the rest must go.”

  “Consider it done.”

  “Bene.” She winked. He actually felt his pulse race at the mere thought he had pleased her. Giovanni fingered his mother’s ring in his pocket and held his breath. He had worked the night out, every detail. Still he was like a schoolboy after his first piece, nervous, awkward. She released him from her seductive stare and turned her gaze back to the scenery beyond. Maybe he should have taken her to the island of Capri. At night the blue waters were beautiful. They reflected the lights from the city and appeared like rippling waves of silk. And the view from the villas in Capri was far more romantic. Damn it. He should have taken her to Capri.

  He rubbed the side of his jaw. “Do you like it here?”

  “What’s not to like? It’s beautiful, though the drive almost gave me a nose bleed.” She pointed back to the window. “How far up are we?”

  “Not sure, it’s the second highest point in Sorrento.”

  “Is that Mt. Vesuvius? The one that erupted and wiped out the city of Pompeii?” she asked.

  Giovanni glanced beyond her to the mountain barely seen against the darkening sky. “It is. The volcano is still active. Many believe it will release again and the clouds of ash will reach as far as Napoli. Do away with us all.”

  “Amazing.” She grinned. “I knew it!” Her smile almost made her eyes disappear under her long lashes. Eve had her mother’s smile, all cheeks. Giovanni was caught again off-guard at how easy happiness came when he was with her. “When I was a little girl Giovanni I read about Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius. I sat in the library and looked up pictures of the people frozen in time. Did you know that Pompeii was the first ancient documented city that actually had fast food?”